Slicing machine



Feb. 11, 1936. w. J. CAMPBELL SLICING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet l FQBQ H, 1936. w J CAMPBELL 2,030,197

SLICING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 [a Vania)" Z/zZ/z'a? JZM ad/ Feb. 11, 1936. w CAMPBELL 2,030,197

SLICING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1934 3-SheetsSheet- 55 Patented Feb. 11, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE to American Slicing Machine Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of New York Application January 15, 1934, Serial No. 706,714

2 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in slicingmachines, particularly of a type in which a knife is rotated at high speed. It has for one purpose the provision of improved sharpening means for such a knife. Another purpose is. the

provision of sharpening means which may be located in a completely shielded or enclosed position. Another object is the associating of the V sharpening means with a guard plate positioned 16 forwardly of the knife in such fashion that the guard plate and the cover therefor are practically flush. Another object is the prevention of the necessity of. any forward projection of the guardplate, frame or cover for any distance forward of the cutting edge of the knife. Another object is the provision of improved means for securing the guard plate in position. Other objects will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein-- Figure 1 is a front elevation;

Figure 2 is an enlarged section on the line 22 of Figure 1;

. Figure 3 is an enlarged section on the line 33 of. Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged section on the line 44 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 55 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a partial plan View with parts broken away;

Figure '7 is a section on the line 'l'! of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an enlarged section on the line 88 of Figure 1;

. Figure 9 is a section on the line 99 of Fig- 40 Figure 10 is a form similar to Figure 4 illustrating one variant mounting or securing means for the guard plate; and

Figure 11 is a modified form of the structure shown in Figure 8.

45 Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specification and drawings.

Referring to the drawings A generally indicates any suitable base from which may upwardly extend any suitable frame structure including the portion generally indicated as A in Figure 2. A indicates a knife sleeve which may also be associated with or secured to such base and frame portion. A indicates a motor mounted on said base. A is a rotary knife which may be mounted for rotation in relation to the sleeve A and which is driven from the motor A as by the pulleys A and A and the belt A.

B is a guard plate which masks most of the forward face of the knife A The axis of the knife is somewhat inclined from perpendicularity to the guard plate B so that the guard plate may penetrate the hollow of. the knife. It is shown as terminating in an arcuate edge B It is offset as at B B to clear the knife edge. It is mounted upon the frame, for example, by notches B which seat upon supporting pins B between positioning members B which are spring thrust together as by the springs B". The upper edge of the guard plate is provided with inwardly turned portions frame A When they are in the position in which they are shown in Figure 4, they are held in position as by securing leaf springs B adjustably mounted on the members B as by screws B passing through slots B and when pressure is not applied to it, the leaf spring B is in the dotted line position of Figure 4 which permits ready insertion and removal of the upper edge of the guard plate B.

C indicates a cover which extends above the frame portions B It is guided, for vertical movement, by dowel pins C which may be mounted in the frame portion B and which may penetrate suitable apertures C in the cover C. These apertures are surrounded by bosses C These bosses and the pins C are surrounded by coil springs C which tend to hold the cover C in the upper or dotted line position of Figures 1 and 4. When in this position, it is sufiiciently high to permit the guard plate B to be rotated into or out of position. Assuming that the guard plate has been rotated into position beneath the springs B then the operator can lower the cover into final or closed position by rotating a locking knob C with its screw threaded pin C which is in screw threaded relationship with a portion C of the frame portion B Rotation of the knob draws the cover C down against the springs C until it is in the full line position of Figures 1, 2 and 4. When in this position, it engages the upper curved end of each spring B and moves it from the dotted line to the full line position of Figure 4, positively locking the upper edge of the guard plate in place. The parts are so proportioned, also, that the arcuate upper portion of each spring B is constrained, by its engagement with the forward flange of the cover C, to direct a rearward, as well as a downward pressure against the angular portion 13 The result is a very firm locking of the parts in position. However, an easy retrograde rotation of the knob C will quickly release the parts and the springs C will lift the cover C again into the dotted line position permitting a ready withdrawal of the upper edge of the guard plate B. Note that, as shown for example in Figures 2 and 4, the forward edge of the cover C is practically flush with the face of the guard plate B. It should be also noted that the springs B are aligned by side aligning members or flanges B as will be clear from Figure 7, the flanges B extending far enough forwardly to engage each side of the guard plate projection B. This will not merely prevent twisting of the springs B but will also prevent any twisting or misalignment of the guard plate B or of its inward projection B In order to sharpen the cutting edge of the knife, and sharpening is necessary at fairly frequent intervals, I provide a structure which includes a grinding member opposed to one side of the cutting edge and a burnishing member opposed to the other, this entire assembly being enclosed by the guard plate 13 and the rear frame portion A A indicates an end wall of the frame which may be formed integrally with the rear wall A which has bosses DD These bosses are screw threaded to receive pins D D which may be axially adjusted by rotation and which may be held in adjusted position by the rotation preventing screws D D indicates a flange extending forwardly from the rear frame member A and formed as a guard for the driving mechanism. It stops short of the cutting edge of the knife and may be, in part, closed by a removable shield plate D This plate D is centrally apertured as at D to permit passage therethrough of the knife assembly. The member D is also provided with bosses D which slidably receive the ends of the pins D D Rotatably mounted upon the shaft D is a boss E which is associated with a lever E This lever has associated with it a boss E in which is rotatably mounted a shaft E to which is secured the grinding or sharpening wheel E which is provided with a bevel portion E adapted to be opposed to the cutting edge of the knife. E indicates a spring which normally tends to impart a clockwise rotation to the lever ,E referring to the par-ts in the position in which they are shown in Figure 2. This clockwise rotation is limited by the abutment E which is associated with a boss E Slidably mounted in the boss E ,is a pin E controlled by an exterior thrust knob E This pin has a transverse pin E which engages the eccentric adjusting member E on the lever E It will be understood that normally the spring E holds the lever E in the full line position of Figure 2 but that when the operator thrusts inwardly against the knob E the spring E is extended and the sharpening member E is thrust against the cutting edge of the knife in the proper sharpening position. To insure that it will be in proper position at the end of the thrust against the manual knob E the eccentric adjusting member may be employed. This eccentric member is held in position, for example, by the screw E which also acts as an anchor for the spring E E is an oiling fitting for the shaft E It is also desirable, for example because of wear of the knife, to be able to adjust the sleeve or boss E on the pin D It will be observed as in Figure 1 that the diameter of the pins D and D is substantially less than the diameter of the threaded portions. This results in the formation of a ledge or abutment against which the sleeve E and the corresponding sleeve G on the pin D may be held as by suitable collars D Thus, axial adjustment of the pins D and D also results in an adjustment of the location of the sleeves E and G radially of the cutting edge of the knife.

The sleeve or boss G, which is rotatably mounted upon the pin D carries a lever structure G which is similar to the lever E This lever structure includes a boss G with its sleeve G in which rotates the shaft G of the burnishing member G G is an oil fitting. G" is a spring which tends to hold the burnisher G in the position in which it is shown in full line in Figure 2 but which permits it to recede to the left and conform to the position of the knife when the lever G is moved to the limit of its movement to the right. The lever G is provided with an upwardly extending finger (I? with an associated ledge G adapted for engagement with the transverse pin E The corresponding ledge E is. formed in the lever E and the ledges G and E hold the shaft E in generally horizontal position in alignment with the members E1 and G The lever G is normally urged in a counter-clockwise direction, referring to the position of the parts in which they are shown in Figure 2, by the spring G10 which is secured to the end of a downward extension G as by the screw head G The location and arrangement of this spring, as shown in Figure 5, is such that its function is not disturbed by a movement of the sleeve G as a result of the axial adjustment of the shaft D The spring G is anchored to the headed anchorage member G G is an abutment, shown as a set screw, for limiting the counter-clockwise movement of the lever G so that the burnishing member G will not strike the inner face of the guard plate B. When the operator wishes to use the burnisher, he pulls out on the knob E As a result, the shaft E engages the finger Cl and imparts a clockwise rotation to the lever G referring to the parts in the position in which they are shown in Figure 2. This clockwise rotation moves the burnishing member G into engagement with the face of the knife. It will be clear that the knob E and the pin E are normally in neutral position. Each lever E and G has its own spring E and G normally drawing it against its respective abutment E or G When the operator thrusts on the knob, he resists the action of the spring E and engages the sharpener E with the knife. When he pulls on the knob, he resists the action of the spring G and engages the burnisher G with the knife.

I find it important to prevent the access of material, grease, bits of meat or the like, to the sharpening mechanism. The flange D must, of course, stop short of the knife, as will be clear from Figure 2, and there is a space between the forward edge of the flange D and the rear face of the guard plate B. The knife is given a counterclockwise rotation, referring to .the position of the parts as in Figure 1, this direction of rotation being indicated by the black arrow in Figure 1.

H generally indicates a refuse trough or goo pan which underlies the cutting edge of the knife and extends substantially rearwardly of the cutting edge. Its inner edge H is in general alignment with the edge of the flange D as will be clear from Figure 2. It closely approaches the edge of the cover plate D as: is also clear from Figure 2. The scraper H is herein shown as mounted on the guard plate B and this scraper will remove the maximum portion of the grease and scrap-s and will discharge them into the goo pan H. This scraper will be effective substantially to clear the forward face of the knife. I may provide scraping means for the rear face of the knife, but I find it desirable also to have a cleansing device to prevent foreign material from entering to the rear face of the knife or the front face of the knife. This guard is generally indicated as H in Figures 8 and 11. In the form of Figure 8, the member H is opposed only to the rear face of the knife. In both forms it has a rear edge portion H curved in cross section as at H and conforming quite closely to the contour of the knife. The member H is adjustable as by slots H through which pass locking screws H" which penetrate a portion of the flange D In the form of Figure 11, there is also a forward extension I-I opposed to the front of the knife.

Referring to Figures 1 and 6, J J are tracks extending across the forward face of the machine. Slidably mounted upon them is the carriage J which supports a work receiving tray J The gauge plate J serves to gauge the thickness of the slices to be cut.

Referring to Figure 10, I have illustrated a variant form of locking means for the guard plate B, in which the inwardly turned portions B and B terminate in upwardly inclined cam members B which are adapted to be engaged by the lug or lugs B integral with the cover member C. The parts are so proportioned that the lugs B exert a downward, as well as a rearward, pressure against the cam members B of the guard plate B when the cover C is lowered into final or closed position by means of the locking knob C It will be realized that whereas I have shown a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. It will be realized, in particular, that I do not wish to be limited to any precise form, location, or relationship of abutments, springs and the like, but also that the levers E and G may be widely varied in form and relationship without departing from the spirit of my invention. I, therefore, wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative or diagrammatic rather than as limiting me to the precise details disclosed.

I claim:

1. In a slicing machine having a base, a knife rotatably mounted on said base and means for actuating it, a housing extending upwardly from said base and about said knife, a guard plate closing the front of the housing and overlying a substantial portion of the face of the knife, a cover for said housing, mounted upon the upper portion thereof, guiding elements for said cover, interposed between cover and housing, yielding means tending normally to lift said cover, said guiding elements including limit means adapted normally to limit the upward movement of said cover in response to said yielding means, said cover thereby being maintained in a position upwardly spaced from the top of the housing, and locking means adapted to move said cover downwardly into locked position, said guard plate being formed with looking portions adapted to penetrate between housing and cover when the cover is raised by said yielding means, said locking portions being provided with offsets adapted to prevent movement of said guard plate when the cover is in closed position, and locking springs positioned upon the housing and located within the cover, when the cover is in closed position, said springs having free ends adapted for a cramping engagement with the inside of the cover whereby, when the cover is in closed position, the springs are positively held by the cover in locking relationship with said offsets.

2. A slicing machine having a base, a knife rotatably mounted on said base and means for actuating it, a housing extending upwardly from said base and about said knife, a guard plate closing said housing and overlying a substantial portion of the face of the knife, a cover for said housing mounted upon the upper portion thereof, laterally extending guiding and securing elements for said guard plate adapted to be interposed between the cover and housing in response to a tilting movement of the guard plate about its lower edge, yielding means tending normally to lift said cover, locking means adapted to move said cover downwardly into locked position against the guiding and securing portion of the guard plate, said locking means being adapted to limit the upward movement of the cover in response to the thrust of said yielding means and being of sufficient length to permit the cover to be vertically aligned with the housing but spaced thereabove a sumcient distance to permit the ready lateral movement of the locking portion of the guard plate into and out of locking position between the cover and the housing.

WILLIAM J. CAMPBELL. 

